Meet the Team

Find out about Abbotswood Academy Team

Meet Lou

Blue Simmons

Abbotswood Day Nursery Co-Founder / Owner / Managing Director

BA Hons Business Management

I have calved my way into the  early years sector over the past 10 years and I also grew up at our nursery, observing my mother building and extending.
I have extended and developed a high quality and thriving day nursery. I have long campaigned for fairer and better funding. I have also been involved with numerous legal investigations in the funding agreements.
My experiences include:

  • Foundation degree in hospitality management
  • BA hons Degree in Business management
  • Managerial experience 18 years +
  • Operations management and process delivery management
  • Extensive HR and employment law knowledge
  • Funding policy and navigating the guidance
  • Planning applications
  • Strategic commercial planning
  • Ex London recruiter
  • Chairman of the Hampshire Provider Collective
  • Relentless campaigner

I am grateful as my drive for successful and effective business management meant I never gave up, I always strived for the nursery to be better, to out shine other nurseries and crucially, for it to be the best place to work for every staff member from apprentice up to manager.

Putting the staff at the centre of everything we do has transformed our nursery, we have ridden every wave thrown at us and have come out learning, improving and enjoying what we do.

I’m very lucky to be in a position where I can choose to share my business experience, as well as commitment to the early years sector, by talking to other early years professionals and supporting childcare provider success. Now my own son has joined Abbotswood, I am starting to see a lot more about the parent perspective, giving me further in-sight into this hugely dynamic sector that is early years.

Get in touch to start your

training adventure

with us